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Member
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| So, had a flat tire on my trailer Sunday afternoon (discovered it after I got back to the barn). Called US Rider for help, explained what was happening to a live person, who said they would find a provider and get right back. Twenty minutes later, hadn't heard back from them, so I called back. US Rider asked if **Two Hours*** was too long for me to wait for assistance. I said, "Hell yes that is too long to wait." About twenty minutes later, US Rider called, and said that they maybe had found someone to help, but that my share would be about $50. Tow truck drivers were turning US Rider down (big storm yesterday but roads were plowed and dry today) and US Rider was calling out tire companies. I said that is too much to pay (US Rider would cover $200, and I'd be responsible for any overage -- $250 to change a tire in the middle of town???). Called AAA. AAA said they'd have someone out in 20 -40 minutes. Called US Rider, cancelled, and expressed disappointment. AAA guy was there in 20 minutes. Sigh. I was very disappointed in US Rider. US Rider needs better contacts, and contracts, to provide meaningful assistance.
Edited by run&jump 2007-12-02 8:26 PM
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Location: NY | I am surprised to read that you had trouble with us rider everybody said that they came right away. When I need them they sent people out with in 30 min's and the tire was change and no cost to me. Could it be that everybody that us riders used was out on other call and us rider has no control over how back logged the companies that they use are ? |
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Member
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| Hmm, sunny day, clear roads, Sunday's are really slow traffic days around here -- so it seemed unlikely that everyone would be out -- especially when AAA was able to get someone _to my barn_ in 20 minutes. Or maybe US Rider has only one company in my area -- that also would be bad. |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Originally written by run&jump on 2007-12-02 10:56 PM
Hmm, sunny day, clear roads, Sunday's are really slow traffic days around here -- so it seemed unlikely that everyone would be out -- especially when AAA was able to get someone _to my barn_ in 20 minutes. Or maybe US Rider has only one company in my area -- that also would be bad. Well if you completed your profile...we'd have an idea of where this occurred and so might be able to provide some further assistance... Remember Tow Services are much like cellular phone services, sometimes there a dead spots...or at least slow response... |
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| I live in Sandy, Utah, which is in the Salt Lake Valley, 20 minutes from Salt Lake. Sandy has a population of just under 100,000 or so. |
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Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Sandy, UT....We looked at property out there when the Hospital was wining & dining the wife...apparently they have non-Mormons on the staff to cover the holy days... After the storms, the wreckers have to go out and collect the various vehicles who have slid off the roads, because they try not to create dangerous road squeezes, that can occur by towing out during the storm any vehicle that is truly off the road...AT least that is what I experienced when I was staying out at Park City and skiing the Wasatch for a while... By the way, was your flat tire one of those Carlisle's that you purchsed earlier this year?
Edited by PaulChristenson 2007-12-02 11:27 PM
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Member
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| Interesting thing was that I didn't see a single vehicle off the road during my three hour round trip . . . everything I saw had been cleared up, and since AAA was able to respond so fast . . . Nope - wasn't a Carlisle tire -- returned those, and got a better trailer tire, I hope, Towmaster. It's not too bad out here -- even for me -- a heathen! Let me know if you and your wife reconsider coming out this way! |
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Location: Vermont | Originally written by run&jump on 2007-12-02 11:32 PM Interesting thing was that I didn't see a single vehicle off the road during my three hour round trip . . . everything I saw had been cleared up, and since AAA was able to respond so fast . . . Nope - wasn't a Carlisle tire -- returned those, and got a better trailer tire, I hope, Towmaster. It's not too bad out here -- even for me -- a heathen! Let me know if you and your wife reconsider coming out this way! Greenball Towmasters??? They are a private label manufactured in CHINA!!!!! Cheng-Shin http://www.epinions.com/Greenball_Towmaster_ST_Utility_Tire/display_~reviews http://www.tiredefects.com/private-label-private-brand-tires.cfm
Edited by PaulChristenson 2007-12-02 11:39 PM
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| Hmmmm.... Thanks for the link. |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Originally written by run&jump on 2007-12-02 11:38 PM Hmmmm.... Thanks for the link. Oops...make that Tawainese... Do an internet search with Cheng Shin Tire recall
Edited by PaulChristenson 2007-12-02 11:49 PM
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Coconut Creek, FL | Hey run&jump, my sister used to live in Sandy. I visited her once back in May '91. She had friends that had Morgans and we went riding from their house on an area that was behind houses with some gorgous moutains views - I think the Washtsach? We also rode to the McDonalds drive thru and under a tunnel... you got some pretty riding there, but sure does get cold! |
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Location: North Carolina | Originally written by PaulChristenson on 2007-12-02 10:14 PM Remember Tow Services are much like cellular phone services, sometimes there a dead spots...or at least slow response... As I experienced and described in my thread "I'm glad..." USRider is NOT the widest coverage. I had to point USRider to a local towservice provider. However, as your poor service experience is related to tire changing, I'll still keep my membership and recommend USRider to my horsey friends. Tire changing to me is like having one's windshield washed while the fuel is being pumped. Nice, but not essential. Even with a USRider membership, I changed the flat tire myself by the roadside (Two instances) for time saved. Essential was the huge wrecker that pulled my whole rig out of a jam. AAA will NOT provide that service. ( I tried ... Tell AAA your truck and attached trailer is in a ditch. They'll ask you to unhitch the trailer LOL !!) |
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Veteran
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Location: El Paso, Texas | I have never thought of using my US Rider for a flat tire on my trailer. I carry a spare, a block of wood and a 4 way lug. A flat trailer tire is usually a 10 minute deal and we are off. I found out the hard way (3 blown tires) that we should get new trailer tires on heavy trailers every 4 years. |
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Member
Posts: 42
| I called US Rider, then AAA because I am particularly mechanically inept. Last tire I changed took me over an hour -- in warm weather. With coaching. I do have all the stuff with me though to change a tire!
All trailer tires were new in August '07.
I agree with keeping our equipment in good shape, and that it is best if one changes one's own tire!
Edited by run&jump 2007-12-03 3:00 PM
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Location: Vermont | Originally written by run&jump on 2007-12-03 2:46 PM
I called US Rider, then AAA because I am particularly mechanically inept. Last tire I changed took me over an hour -- in warm weather. With coaching. I do have all the stuff with me though to change a tire! All trailer tires were new in August '07. I agree with keeping our equipment in good shape, and that it is best if one changes one's own tire! Hey...horse people are supposed to be RUGGED INDIVIDUALISTS!!... What are you trying to do give all of us a bad name???... |
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Member
Posts: 42
| I am a rugged individualist -- just a mechanically inept one!
Edited by run&jump 2007-12-03 6:11 PM
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Originally written by run&jump on 2007-12-03 6:07 PM I am a rugged individualist -- just a mechanically inept one! Well here is your first lesson on the way out of mechanical ineptness... http://www.ehow.com/how_1863_change-flat-tire.html Watch closely, because there will be a quiz later... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434
Location: Brooksville, Fl | I had a flat tire in the middle of Ocala and US Rider had trouble getting someone to me. Being the resourceful women that we are, we pulled out the Jiffy Jack, changed it and were back on the road in 20 minutes or less (spent more time on the phone to US Rider) and they were still trying to find someone. The gentleman on the phone was very nice and explained about some trucks being out of service or something but I was a bit disappointed in them as I had just joined US Rider. I will keep them, however, because more people seem to have good experinces than bad. |
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Member
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| Thanks for the encouragement, and thanks especially to Paul for the video. I will work on becoming mechanically "ept." |
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Regular
Posts: 57
| I have US Rider in case my rig is broken down and I have no alternative but a tow. I don't want to be stuck on the side of the road with a truck that won't start. But honestly, it wouldn't occur to me to call them to change a tire. It is easy to do, and if I am on the side of the road, I'd rather do it myself and get the heck out of dodge rather than waiting for someone. I am a petite woman and I've changed four tires on the side of the interstate (two were mine, two were for friends) in the past few years, no problem. Just takes a few minutes if you have your ducks in a row. |
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Posts: 1871
Location: NY | run -jump you should know how to change a tire no joke my mother had a flat on her car and no cell service she walk to find service and then call me. the place was on a parkway very bad area in lane wow!! so now she know how to change a tire just in case she can not get me. It is common to not get cell service in the mountain area just something to look in to |
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Location: North Carolina | Originally written by run&jump on 2007-12-03 8:22 PM Thanks for the encouragement, and thanks especially to Paul for the video. I will work on becoming mechanically "ept." R&J looks to be well on her way to tire changer extraordinaire. Both my teenage daughters had to demonstrate they were ready to drive the family car by safely changing the tire with the on board tools. They resented me for it back then, but have since thanked me when they got a flat tire. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 736
Location: Western WA | I had to learn how to put tire chains on before I could get my drivers license. That came in handy on trip to visit a now ex-boyfriend's parents in Missoula one December many years ago, and he didn't know how to put chains on (born and raised in Missoula?).
Edited by headhunter 2007-12-06 1:10 PM
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Member
Posts: 42
| I can put on tire chains, shoot, clean (just need bone saw for sternum), skin and butcher a deer or elk, drive in _really_ nasty mud or snow, negotiate and draft complex contracts, -- I just can't change a #$%&* tire - but I'm learning . . . .
Oh, I can't fix plumbing either. But I guess that would be another board. ;)
US Rider did call to apologize for the delay, and stated that such a delay was unusual.
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Western WA | I'll take tire changing over putting on chains any day of the week. If you can do chains, you will be able to figure out tire changing pretty quickly. The only bad part is if you have a really tight lug nut. |
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Member
Posts: 5
Location: virginia | Well, I'm glad to see I was not the only one left stranded by US Rider. I posted back in August and everyone had wonderful things to say about them. My truck broke down twice and in 2 different states. I had to find my own tow truck because US Rider could not find anyone to help me. But I do have to say, they tried to make things right. They sent candy to my house, a letter to apologize and paid me back for the tow truck. So yes I am still a member. I just hope they can help me next time. |
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Location: Arkansas | Nothing is perfect, but it does seem the best we can get, with dually trucks and trailers....and livestock... |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 671
Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY) | Nuther good thing about a LQ trailer, you can catch a nap while you wait and watch videos on do it yourself. |
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Bad Experience with US Rider
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